Seven Years Later, Astrid Is Thriving Thanks to Specialized Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Lakeside Hospital

At 7 years old, Astrid is energetic, athletic, and full of personality. 

She loves animals and enjoys climbing, jumping, and staying active. She has lots of friends, attends first grade, and rarely lets anything slow her down. 

Looking at Astrid today, it's hard to imagine that she once weighed less than a pound and was given only a small chance of survival. 

Seven years ago, Astrid and her mother, Jennifer Oberfell, relied on a coordinated team of obstetric, maternal-fetal medicine, and neonatal intensive care specialists at Lakeside Hospital during a high-risk pregnancy that resulted in an extremely premature birth. 

Today, as LCMC Health expands Women and Newborn Care services at Lakeside Hospital, Jennifer believes the project will help even more families access the specialized care that made a difference in her daughter's life. 

A Pregnancy Takes an Unexpected Turn 

Jennifer and her fiancé were excited to welcome their baby when her pregnancy took an unexpected turn. Up until that point, she had been receiving routine prenatal care from her OB/GYN, Amy Grace, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tulane University School of Medicine. 

Then, at 23 weeks, everything changed. 

Jennifer began experiencing severe indigestion and rising blood pressure. After undergoing lab work, she received a call that would change everything. 

"They told me to pack a bag and come to the hospital immediately," Jennifer recalled. 

Jennifer was diagnosed with preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome, a severe pregnancy complication characterized by elevated liver enzymes, low platelet counts, and high blood pressure. Her platelet count dropped dangerously low, raising concerns for both her health and the health of her unborn daughter. 

Following the diagnosis, Jennifer came under the care of maternal-fetal medicine specialist Gabriella Pridjian, MD, professor and chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tulane University School of Medicine. She was admitted to Lakeside Hospital, where physicians closely monitored both mother and baby while working to safely prolong the pregnancy for as long as possible. 

"They were doing everything they could to keep her in," Jennifer said. Later that evening, however, physicians determined an emergency Caesarean section was necessary. 

"They told us she had about a 5% chance of survival," Jennifer said. "We decided we wanted to do everything we could for her." 

A Fragile Beginning 

Astrid was born on May 3, 2019, at just 23½ weeks gestation. 

She weighed only 14.8 ounces. 

Because of her extreme prematurity, Astrid was transferred immediately to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Lakeside while Jennifer continued recovering from her own medical complications. 

Jennifer remained hospitalized for five days as physicians worked to stabilize her blood pressure. 

Meanwhile, Astrid faced enormous challenges. 

Her lungs were not yet fully developed, and she required advanced respiratory support. 

"Her skin was see-through," Jennifer said. "You could see her little veins. She was about the size of my fiancé's hand." 

Over the next several months, Astrid experienced multiple setbacks, including serious infections and episodes that required emergency intervention. 

At one point, she developed severe respiratory complications and required nitric oxide therapy, a treatment that Jennifer credits with helping her daughter turn a critical corner. 

"After that, she just started doing so much better," Jennifer said. 

Celebrating Every Milestone 

Astrid spent 131 days in the NICU. 

Throughout her stay, a multidisciplinary team worked together to support her growth and development. Neonatologists, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nurses collaborated to address every aspect of her care. 

Physical therapists helped maintain movement and positioning while Astrid remained on a ventilator. Occupational therapists supported feeding development and helped prepare her to eventually take a bottle. 

The team celebrated every achievement along the way. 

Jennifer remembers nurses tracking Astrid's weight gains with drawings on a bedside board and creating special keepsakes for holidays and milestones. 

"They made you smile even though it was a hard situation," Jennifer said. 

The NICU team also helped families remain connected to their babies during difficult days. 

The nurses encouraged Jennifer and her family to record themselves singing and talking so the recordings could be played at Astrid's bedside when they couldn't be there. 

"We still keep in touch with some of the nurses," Jennifer said. "They're like family to us." 

Specialized Support Beyond the NICU 

Nutrition played an important role in Astrid's development. Jennifer provided breast milk as long as she could, and Lakeside's donor milk program helped meet Astrid's nutritional needs during a critical stage of growth. 

"They have a great donor milk program," Jennifer said. "Knowing Astrid was getting the nutrition she needed gave me peace of mind." 

As Astrid progressed, the focus shifted toward preparing her for life outside the hospital. She needed to demonstrate consistent weight gain, successfully take a bottle, and transition off higher levels of respiratory support. 

After spending nearly four months in the NICU and weighing about five pounds, Astrid was finally ready to go home. 

"It was a big party," Jennifer said. "The nurses were excited, we were excited. Everyone had been part of her journey, so it felt like a celebration when she was finally strong enough to go home." 

Astrid remained on oxygen until she was about 18 months old, but her care did not end after discharge. 

Through Lakeside's NICU Follow-Up Program, Astrid continued receiving specialized evaluations designed specifically for premature infants. The program monitored her growth, developmental milestones and respiratory progress, helping ensure she received the support she needed during her early years. 

"We stayed in the follow-up clinic until she was about 2 years old," Jennifer said. 

At age 2, when she wasn't gaining weight as expected, physicians recommended placement of a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) to help meet her nutritional needs. Jennifer said Astrid continues to use the G-tube as part of her ongoing care. 

Looking Toward the Future 

Today, Astrid continues to see specialists who help monitor the long-term effects of extreme prematurity, but Jennifer says her daughter approaches life with enthusiasm and determination. 

"She's full of life," Jennifer said. 

Reflecting on Lakeside Hospital's plans to expand women and newborn services, Jennifer believes the investment will benefit countless families facing complicated pregnancies and NICU journeys. 

"I think it's going to be great," she said. "They're going to have more patients, more providers, and more specialties available." 

LCMC Health recently announced a $14 million investment in Lakeside Hospital that will expand women and newborn services on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish. The initiative will bring together the strengths of Lakeside Hospital and East Jefferson General Hospital, creating a state-of-the-art destination where LCMC Health, Tulane and LSU physicians can provide comprehensive care for mothers and babies—from pregnancy and delivery through advanced neonatal services. 

For Jennifer, the expansion represents something deeply personal. 

Seven years ago, she and Astrid relied on Lakeside Hospital during one of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Today, she knows future mothers and babies will have access to even more resources, expertise and specialized care close to home. 

For families facing an uncertain start, that support can make all the difference. 

For more information about the comprehensive continuum of care available for mothers and babies—from pregnancy and childbirth through specialized neonatal services—visit https://www.lcmchealth.org/lakeside-hospital/our-services/womens-health/women-newborn-care/